Placement Testing
- Who has to take Placement Tests and why?
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Computerized placement tests are required for all new students seeking a degree or transferring credits to another institution. Math and English placement tests are required, even if the student is NOT taking Math or English this semester.
Many courses require that the students have a firm foundation of the subject matter. Each subsequent course related to that specific area of study depends on prior knowledge. Students will have a better chance of success if they have the prerequisite knowledge.
Computerized placement tests will analyze the skills that the student possesses. Upon completion students will be placed into a course proper for the student's skill level.
- What needs to be completed before taking the Placement Tests?
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New CSN enrolling students must complete an online orientation and admission form before testing. Admission forms may be completed at home via the Internet or in the lobby of the Student Affairs building at each of the major campuses (Charleston, Cheyenne, and Henderson). After completing the orientation and admission form, proceed to testing at a CSN Tesing Center or Testing Site. Returning students may report directly to testing.
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- How often can I take the Placement Tests?
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Accuplacer Math, Accuplacer Reading and WebCT English Placement Tests may be repeated every four months. Placement test scores are valid for one year. If a student is not satisfied with their initial Accuplacer Math placement, they may take a Diagnostic Math test to be eligible for a more advanced course. Math Diagnostic tests may be repeated every four months. Students should review before the test date.
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- Whats on the placement tests? Do you have any sample questions from the Placement Tests?
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Available Placement Tests
Available Placement Tests
Ability to Benefit Test (ATB)
If time is critical, an alternate exam referred to as the Ability to Benefit (ATB - Accuplacer Test) may be taken to render the student eligible for financial aid. Passing scores on the ATB can render a student who does not have a high school diploma or GED eligible for Financial Aid. Students must get a referral form from Financial Aid prior to testing.
The ATB is a Accuplacer comprehensive reading, sentence skills, and math (arithmetic) test. On average, the ATB is three to fours hours in length. Please allow adequate time to complete testing.
Financial Aid - Some forms of college financial aid which pay for class tuition and/or books require that the student have a GED or high school diploma. For additional information on financial aid, visit your CSN Financial Aid Office or their web site at http://finaid.csn.nevada.edu/. The Ability to Benefit test is not a replacement for a GED diploma.
Business Letter Writing Test
The Accuplacer Business Letter Writing Test - Sentence Skills exam is a prerequisite for Business 108. This test generally takes one to two hours to complete.
English Placement Test
English Placement Tests are required for all new students seeking a degree or transferring credits to another institution. The WebCT English Placement Test is mandatory for all students taking English classes. This test is designed to place a student in the English class best suited for their abilities. The English test is a one-hour timed essay test.
Students write on a topic presented to them at the time of the exam. There are six distinct levels of English placement. If a student places into the broad category of ESL (English Second Language) they must take an ESL test; this test will place them into the appropriate level of ESL. ESL tests are taken through the Language Labs at Charleston (Building C, Room 213) and Cheyenne (Phase V, Room 2222) campuses and in the Testing Center (Building B, Room 107) at the Henderson campus.
In many cases an essay can be scored the same day. WebCT Essays are scored by a minimum of two trained English instructors. Some essays may require a third English Reader in these cases the scoring time will be extended.
If a student is placed into English 98 or 92 with the WebCT English Placement Essay Test, they MUST also take an Accuplacer Reading Placement Test. The Accuplacer Reading Placement Test MUST be completed before registering for any CSN classes.
Reading tests take one to two hours on average. The Reading Placement test is multiply choice. Students need to demostrate skills in reading comprehension and cognitive thinking.
Students that have completed ACT (verbal section with a score of 21 or higher) and/or SAT (critical reading section with a score of 510 or higher) tests and have a satisfactory score may use these test scores for English placement. The scores must be less than two years old. Scores in the following forms are accepted: those on official SAT/ACT forms, a print out from the high school testing location (Scores form high schools must be sealed in an envelope. The student must NOT open the envelope; this must be done by testing staff ONLY.), or scores faxed directly to the testing center/site from the high school.
Students may study for the ACT/SAT at the following link:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html
NO CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED IN THE TESTING ROOMS.
All students belonging to the International Student Center at CSN must have a referral from their counselor prior to testing.
For additional information visit CSN's English Department web site:
Reading Placement Test
The Accuplacer Reading Placement Test is a prerequisite for any student taking a reading class.
If a student is placed into English 98 or 92 with the WebCT English Placement Essay Test, they MUST also take an Accuplacer Reading Placement Test. The Accuplacer Reading Placement Test MUST be completed before registering for any CSN classes.
Reading tests take one to two hours on average. The Reading Placement test is multiply choice. Students need to demostrate skills in reading comprehension and cognitive thinking.
NO CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED IN THE TESTING ROOMS.
Math Placement Test
Placement tests are required for all new students seeking a degree or transferring credits to another institution. Math placement tests are required, even if the student is NOT taking Math this semester. Students WILL NOT be permitted to register for classes until placement tests are completed.
The Accuplacer Math Placement Test is mandatory for students who HAVE NOT met prior CSN math prerequisites (successful completion of a CSN math Course, sufficient ACT or SAT scores, College Level Education Program [CLEP] Exam or transfer credits form another university or college [Admissions and Records:
http://www.csn.edu/admissions/index.asp]).
The Accuplacer Math Placement Test is designed to place a student in a math class best suited for their skills. This test encompasses all levels of mathematics starting with elementary algebra and traversing up or down in difficulty, depending on how the student answered the previous questions. The math test lasts one hour on average.
There is a calculator built into the Accuplacer math testing software that will be displayed on random questions. Students are NOT allowed to use their own calculators. Students should bring a pencil and picture ID. The testing center will provide scratch paper for computation.
Any student who is not willing to accept their Accuplacer Math Placement level may attempt to raise the placement level by participating in a Mathematics Diagnostic Test. All students must establish a current initial Accuplacer placement before Diagnostic testing. Math placement tests are administrated under the strict guidelines of CSN's Mathematics Department.
Students that have completed ACT and/or SAT tests and have a satisfactory score in the math section may use these test scores for math placement. The scores must be less than two years old. Scores in the follow forms are accepted: those on official SAT/ACT forms, a print out from the high school testing location (Scores form high schools must be sealed in an envelope. The student must NOT open the envelope; this must be done by testing staff ONLY.), or scores faxed directly to the testing center/site from the high school. Students may study for the ACT/SAT at the following link:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep_one/prep_one.html.
NO CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED IN THE TESTING ROOMS.
For additional detailed information on CSN's Mathematics Placement Procedures visit the following web sites:
Technical Communications I - English 107 Placement Test
This test is mandatory for students taking Technical Communications I - English 107. The WebCT English Placement - essay test can place a student in Technical Communications I - English 107 or the completion of an English 101 course will place them in English 107. Students that place into English 101: College Composition I are also eligible for Technical Communications I - English 107. This test is a one hour timed essay written on a given topic.
